Family functioning and functional independence in spinal cord injury adjustment

Abstract

SummaryThe relationships among functional independence, perceived family functioning and duration of disability were studied in 41 non-institutionalised post-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) families. Correlational analyses revealed that SCI subjects with greater self initiation of activities, increased social involvement and higher overall level of independence perceived their family environment as affectively responsive, open in communication and clear in delineation of role responsibilities. The 'sig nificant other's' (A 'significant other' is designated by the SCI subject as 'the one most involved with you'. The 'significant other' had to be living with or within 25 miles of the SCI subject and in contact at least 3 times a week.) view of the family was unrelated to SCI function. Conversely, for the significant other but not the SCI subject, greater duration of disability predicted more concern for the family's ability to problem solve, delineate roles and maintain standards of behaviour control. Of the functional areas measured, only participation in outside activities increased significantly over time. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of considering the long-term and separate rehabilitation needs of the individual with a SCI and his or her family.

Coping with spinal cord injury: personal and marital adjustment in the Hong Kong Chinese setting

“…25 ± 27 SCI married couples tended to have more relationship problems when the disabled partner's level of functional independence is low. 23,28 Persons with SCI in distressed marriages tend to engage in relatively fewer activities alone and are less willing or able to self-initiate social activity. Persons with SCI in unsatisfactory marriages tended also to spend a considerable amount of time in solitary and disengaged behaviour.…”

A comparison of past and future leisure activity participation between spinal cord injured and non-disabled persons

“…McGowan and Roth (1987) found a positive relationship between self-initiation of activities among SCI subjects and their perceptions of their families as effectively responsive and involved, effective in communication and role delineation, and healthy in family functioning.…”

Social role functioning following spinal cord injury

“…These issues are important because the SCI patients' adjustment and social behaviour may adversely effect the quality of the marital relationship, and hence the support that the patient needs for reaching successful adjustment to the injury may be jeopardised. Although several researchers have stressed the importance of assessing the perceptions of the 'significant other' (Ernst, 1987;Malec and Nermeyer, 1982;Richards, 1986), only one study has focused on the significant other's view of their post-SCI family (McGowan and Roth, 1987). McGowan and Roth (1987) found that the duration of the disability was a good predictor of the significant others' concern of the SCI family's ability to delineate roles and maintain standards of behaviour control.…”

“…More specifically, McGowan and Roth (1987) found the SCI subjects who perceived their family environment as affectionately responsive, open in communi cation, and clear in delineation of responsibility, had greater self-initiation in activities, increased social involvement, and a higher overall level of independence. Pachalski and Pachalska (1984) also demonstrated the importance of the role of the family in their research.…”

“…The degree of social interaction was a critical variable in the emotional and social adjustment of both paraplegic and quadraplegic individuals (MacKelprang and Hepworth, 1987). Furthermore, marital status (Dejong, et al, 1984) and a positive family environment (McGowan and Roth, 1987) have been powerful predictors of independent functional living outcome variables, such as in home activities and social interaction.…”